QT dispersion in carbon monoxide poisoning

Background: Carbon monox- ide (CO) poisoning are serious health prob- lems, and effect of reducing the blood's oxy- gen carrying capacity. Deaths due to CO poi- soning are mostly related to myocardial injury and central nervous system pathologies. Aim: The objective of this study was to de- termine the relationship between carbon monoxide intoxication, QT dispersion, and car- diac markers. Materials and Methods: Patients with pos- sible CO intoxication symptoms were evaluated to be eligible for the study. Patients' demo- graphic data, carboxyhemoglobin levels, car- diac markers and QT interval measurements were recorded to the study form. Results: A total of 127 patients (79 CO intox- icated and 48 controls) were included into the study with a mean age of 38.6±14.1 years and 62.2% of them were female. Average levels of patient's carboxyhemoglobin were 21.3 ± 9. QT dispersion (39.0 ± 10.8 vs 24.4 ± 6.2; p < 0,001) and corrected QT dispersion (46.2 ± 14.7 vs 25.3 ± 6.2; p < 0.001) were longer than the con- trol group. Both QT dispersion (39.0 ± 10.8 vs 23.6 ± 7.0; p < 0.001) or corrected QT disper- sion (46.2 ± 14.7 vs 27.1 ± 8.7; p < 0.001) were also decreased after one week later from the admission. Conclusion: Carbon monoxide intoxication is related to increased QT dispersion. Emer- gency physicians should measure QT disper- sion in CO intoxicated patients in order to pre- dict the electrical instability in myocardium and future adverse events.